Gravel packing apparatus utilizing diverter valves

Abstract

Method and apparatus for gravel packing an open-hole wellbore are disclosed. The apparatus includes a sandscreen disposed in the wellbore thereby creating an annulus between the wellbore and the sandscreen for receiving a gravel slurry. The apparatus further comprises a tubular member or wash pipe which is concentrically disposed in the sandscreen for receiving carrier fluid which passes through the sandscreen and for returning the carrier fluid to the earth's surface. At least one diverter valve is installed in the tubular member for permitting flow of the carrier fluid into the tubular member.

1. A method for forming a gravel plug in a wellbore comprising:
 pumping a gravel slurry into a wellbore annulus about a tubular member disposed therein,
 wherein the tubular member comprises at least one diverter valve in fluid communication with an inside diameter of the tubular member and the wellbore annulus; and 
 
 directing at least a portion of the gravel slurry through the diverter valve into the inside diameter of the tubular member to form a gravel plug within the wellbore annulus. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular member comprises a plurality of diverter valves. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , further comprising remotely controlling the operation of the diverter valves. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the diverter valves are remotely controlled using a wireless telemetry apparatus. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gravel plug is formed adjacent a potentially damaging region of the wellbore. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the potentially damaging region of the wellbore comprises shale. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gravel plug is formed adjacent a swellable packer disposed about the tubular member. 
     
     
       8. A method for gravel packing a wellbore, comprising:
 pumping a gravel slurry into a portion of a wellbore annulus about a tubular member disposed therein,
 wherein the tubular member comprises at least one diverter valve in fluid communication with an inside diameter of the tubular member and the wellbore annulus; 
 
 directing at least a portion of the gravel slurry through the diverter valve into the inside diameter of the tubular member to form a gravel plug within a portion of the wellbore annulus adjacent a swellable packer, wherein the swellable packer is disposed about the tubular member; and 
 diverting the gravel slurry around the swellable packer and gravel packing another portion of the wellbore annulus. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the wellbore is an open hole wellbore. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the tubular member comprises a plurality of diverter valves. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising remotely controlling the operation of the diverter valves. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the diverter valves are remotely controlled using a wireless telemetry apparatus. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising expanding the swellable packer, wherein the wellbore annulus surrounding the swellable packer is free of gravel. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the swellable packer directly contacts at least a portion of a wall of the wellbore when the swellable packer is expanded. 
     
     
       15. A method for gravel packing a wellbore, comprising:
 pumping a gravel slurry into a portion of a wellbore annulus about a tubular member disposed therein,
 wherein the tubular member comprises at least one diverter valve in fluid communication with an inside diameter of the tubular member and the wellbore annulus; 
 
 directing at least a portion of the gravel slurry through the diverter valve into the inside diameter of the tubular member to form a gravel plug within a portion of the wellbore annulus adjacent a swellable packer; 
 diverting the gravel slurry around the swellable packer and gravel packing another portion of the wellbore annulus; and 
 expanding the swellable packer, wherein the wellbore annulus surrounding the swellable packer is free of gravel. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the wellbore is an open hole wellbore. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the tubular member comprises a plurality of diverter valves. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , further comprising remotely controlling the operation of the diverter valves. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the diverter valves are remotely controlled using a wireless telemetry apparatus. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the swellable packer directly contacts at least a portion of a wall of the wellbore when the swellable packer is expanded.